Singapore to bar all short-term visitors in efforts to reduce imported coronavirus cases

Passengers wearing face masks, amid concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, walks through the arrival area at Changi International Airport in Singapore on March 16, 2020.

Roslan Rahman | AFP | Getty Images

Singapore will bar entry to all short-term visitors starting from 11:59 p.m. on Monday, the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

Citing the “heightened risk” of imported coronavirus cases, the ministry said this measure is meant to “conserve resources so we can focus on Singaporeans.”

In its statement, the ministry said nearly 80% of cases in the past three days were imported from residents or long-term pass holders returning from overseas.

The new measure also prevents short-term visitors “from anywhere in the world” from transiting through Singapore.

The health ministry also said that Singapore will also restrict reentry for long-term work pass holders and their dependents to workers who provide “essential services, such as in healthcare and transport.”